So instead of me trying to write up a HILARIOUS Top 30 like I did last year, (you all remember how funny that was? No? Oh, come on!), or a serious Top 30 that will be put to shame by the depths to which Matt will go this year, (or even the depths to which he went last year), I’m going to take this chance to lobby for a couple guys who missed our Top 30, and give you all the chance to discuss. I might do it again next week as well, just to see how we might have progressed to 40. And if it’s rolling along just fine, maybe go five a week right up to opening day. I ranked 76 guys last year, and my list is around 95 right now, before I cull out a handful of NPs from last year’s draft and guys who proved themselves NPs from last year’s performances, plus whichever borderline guys get cut in the spring training numbers game.

So here’s my next five, with my personal rankings in parentheses:

Samuel Hiciano (27) – I made my case for Hiciano pretty poorly throughout the voting I think, but the gist is that he has power. He hit seven HR at Williamsport last year, just a couple shy of Dylan Cozens in about half the PAs. Mitch did a nice write-up of Hiciano after he came back from his wrist injury, and that sold me. So blame Mitch if he doesn’t pan out, is what I’m saying.

Zach Collier (29) – Yes, his 2013 was atrocious. Much bad. So non-prospect. Wow. Collier’s saving grace, for me, is his defense and the fact that he’s not just a singles hitter. If he turns it around in 2014, he could be the guy who finally pushes John Mayberry out of town. Which is enough of a thrilling proposition for me to remain excited about Mr. Collier. Only problem is he bats left, but he can play CF, and with Darin Ruf batting righthanded, maybe the two of them can combine to force JMJ to the curb.

Drew Anderson (30) – So far Anderson’s proven very little about his status as a future starting pitcher, but the club is letting him start for now, and he did put up some fair numbers. Especially good were his low BB/9 and his very low WHIP, though his K/9 was around 6. That’s not going to get it done at higher levels – he absolutely needs an out pitch. He’s got a lot of time to develop one of his current offerings into one, potentially, but if he doesn’t, he’s likely to have a hard time passing AA. The most reasonable hope may be for an uptick in velocity to help his secondary pitches.

Jiandido Tromp (31) – CF skills and enough bat to pass WIL during his age 19 year. Lakewood will be a nice challenge for him. I’d like to see some power, be it a couple more homeruns or a handful more doubles and triples on average, and for his speed to translate into some steals. Until then, his stats read like an offensive non-weapon who strikes out too much for a player of that type. For the record, I’m an offensive non-weapon as well. In that sometimes I’m offensive and I could do you no physical harm even if I tried.

Malquin Canelo (34) – He ended his 2013 with a Golden Sombrero, which drove his K Rate up from around 20 to closer to 25, so quoting that stat as high as it is is like quoting SLG and OPS after a guy goes 6-8 with 4 XBH in a double header – it’s a spike that hasn’t had time to resolve. He did hit fairly well during August, and that makes me think he’s possibly passed WIL and is ready to move on, but I guess he sits in extended waiting to start back at Williamsport in 2014, with Lakewood a possibility if JP Crawford passes through to CLR by mid-June. Could happen.